Child-care program expands statewide

A pilot program that paid parents directly for child-care subsidies has been expanded statewide.

The Utah Department of Workforce Services will pay all Utah parents eligible for assistance directly rather then sending the money to the child-care providers.Payments will be made to the adult's Utah Horizon Card, which acts as a debit card for cash benefits and food stamps.

Parents can withdraw the needed cash from an automatic teller machine to pay the provider.